NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ACT

An Act establishes the National Sugar Development Council to regulate and develop Nigeria's sugar industry, promoting local production and reducing imports. It targets sugarcane farmers, sugar companies, and importers to support out-grower communities and market conduct. This builds a self-sufficient sugar sector to meet domestic demands.

What Is This Policy?

This Act establishes the National Sugar Development Council as the apex regulatory and development body for Nigeria's domestic sugar industry, with a mandate to grow local production and reduce dependence on imported refined sugar.

Who Does It Target?

Sugarcane farmers and out-grower communities around sugar mills Sugar refining, milling, and processing companies Sugar importers subject to the National Sugar Master Plan obligations

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

To build a self-sufficient Nigerian sugar industry capable of meeting domestic demand, by driving investment in sugarcane cultivation, supporting out-grower farming communities, and regulating market conduct in the sugar sector.

Key Features

Council Establishment: Creates the National Sugar Development Council as the authoritative body for policy, regulation, and development in the sugar sector Backward Integration Policy: Enforces the National Sugar Master Plan, which requires companies importing sugar to invest in domestic cane farming as a condition of import licences Research Support: Mandates funding for research into high-yielding sugarcane varieties, pest management, and improved processing methods Market Regulation: Grants the Council authority to set production targets, pricing frameworks, and import quotas in the domestic sugar market Out-Grower Scheme Support: Provides for technical and financial assistance to small-scale cane farmers supplying mills under out-grower arrangements

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; Backward Integration Policy and National Sugar Master Plan in force Coverage: Nationwide, with major sugarcane production zones in Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Kogi, and Taraba states Funding: Federal government appropriations and industry levies collected from sugar sector operators

How to Access

Sugar industry operators, importers, and cane farmers engage with the Council for licences, programme participation, and regulatory guidance. Registration as a sugar sector operator with the National Sugar Development Council Compliance with Backward Integration Programme obligations for importers Adherence to Council-issued technical guidelines and production standards Application method: National Sugar Development Council, Abuja

Official Resources

Website: www.nsdc.gov.ng

Legal Framework

Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Operates alongside the Agricultural (Control of Importation) Act, the Customs and Excise Management Act for import duty concessions on sugar, the National Agricultural Policy, and the National Sugar Development Council Act Cap N50 LFN 2004.